02nov10 october 2010 burma bulletin

8/8/2019 02nov10 October 2010 Burma Bulletin

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B U R M A B U L L E T I N

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞A month-in-review of events in Burma∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

A L T E R N A T I V E A S E A N N E T W O R K O N B U R M A c a m p a i g n s , a d v o c a c y & c a p a c i t y - b u i l d i n g f o r h u m a n r i g h t s & d e m o c r a c y

Issue 46 October 2010

P O B O X 2 9 6 , L A R D P R A O P O S T O F F I C E , B A N G K O K 1 0 3 1 0 , T H A I L A N DTEL ▼ 081 850 9008 ▼ [6681] 850 9008 EMAIL ▼ [email protected] WE B ▼ www.altsean.org

• UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in BurmaTomás Ojea Quintana slams the SPDC’s electionprocess, saying it is “deeply flawed” and not“inclusive, free and fair.”

• Harassment, threats, intimidation, vote buying, andforced recruitment by regime officials and USDPmembers continue.

• SPDC Election Commission bars foreign journalistsand international election monitors from observingthe polls.

• Cyclone Giri leaves 71,000 people homeless. TheSPDC prevents international staff from UN andNGOs from visiting affected areas.

• A new report documents dismal health conditionsand human rights abuses in Eastern Burma and saysthat Eastern Burma’s demographics show patternsmore comparable to recent war zones such as SierraLeone.

• Deteriorating relations between the SPDC and twokey ethnic ceasefire groups causes renewed conflictin Kachin and Mon States.

• Ojea Quintana urges the creation of a Commissionof Inquiry on serious international crimes in Burma

to prevent impunity and future human rightsviolations.

• A new report reveals the SPDC’s offensive inEastern Burma has destroyed or forcibly relocated113 villages and displaced 73,000 people betweenAugust 2009 and July 2010.

• At the 17th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders reiterateprevious statements that call on the SPDC to hold its“free, fair, and inclusive” elections. Only Indonesiaand the Philippines criticize the SPDC polls.

• UN Sec-Gen Ban Ki-Moon says the SPDC’s lack ofengagement with the UN is “deeply frustrating.”

• Burma ranks as the second most corrupt country inthe world according to Transparency International’s2010 Corruption Perceptions Index.

For comprehensive monitoring of the2010 elections, please visit the “2010Election Watch” at www.altsean.org

IN THIS ISSUE

KEY STORY2 UN slams election process2 Restrictions and harassment2 Independent monitors banned3 Mass release of prisoners?3 NLD boycott campaign3 Anti-election protests intensify3 SPDC pressures ethnic groups4 New flag unfurled4 Int’l criticism of election process

INSIDE BURMA5 Cyclone Giri strikes Burma6 Health emergency in E. Burma

HUMAN RIGHTS7 Ojea Quintana calls for CoI7 Freedom of information7 Detention conditions8 Forced labor

DISPLACEMENT8 SPDC displaces 73,000 people8 Migrant workers in Thailand

8 Thailand and repatriationINTERNATIONAL9 RP and RI criticize SPDC polls9 Daw Suu’s release uncertain10 Ban Ki-moon “frustrated”10 Relations with Laos & Thailand

ECONOMY10 Tavoy deep-sea port11 Burma’s corruption11 Toyota pulls out of Burma11 Explosion at oil pipeline

11 OTHER BURMA NEWS

12 REPORTS

_____________________________________Receive the Burma Bulletin monthly! email [email protected] Online copies are available for download at www.altsean.org



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KEY STORY

UN slams election process

On 20 October, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Tomás Ojea Quintana deliveredharsh criticism of the SPDC’s election process. Presenting his annual report to the UN GeneralAssembly, Ojea Quintana said that the election process was “deeply flawed” and not “inclusive, freeand fair.”1 In his report the Special Rapporteur said that the SPDC failed to “establish an environment

for credible, inclusive elections.”2 The report stressed that:3

• The SPDC appointed the 17 members of the Election Commission without any public consultation.Moreover, the decisions of the Commission cannot be appealed to any court.

• The electoral framework and its implementation by the SPDC Election Commission further restrictedfreedom of expression, assembly, and association.

• The ban on political prisoners from joining or remaining members of political parties limited the rightto freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

• Prohibitive costs and time pressure to register members and field candidates restricted the politicalparties’ ability to contest the elections.

On 29 October, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a statement that

“conditions for genuine elections that meet international standards” had not been reached.

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Restrictions, harassment, and coercion continue

As Election Day drew near, regime officials and Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)members continued to harass, threaten, and intimidate voters and members of other political parties.5 Reports also emerged of widespread vote buying and forced recruitment by USDP members.6

International monitors banned, supervised local diplomats allowed

The SPDC banned independent observers and journalists from monitoring the electoral process. On 18October, SPDC Election Commission Chairman Thein Soe said that international monitors would notbe allowed to observe the upcoming elections.7 Thein Soe also said that foreign journalists would not be

allowed to enter Burma to cover the polls.8

On 31 October, the SPDC Information Ministry said that

1AP (21 Oct 10) UN envoy appeals to Myanmar for 'strong signal' it will hold genuine election; UN News Centre (21 Oct 10) UN

rights expert calls Myanmar election process ‘deeply flawed’; DPA (20 Oct 10) UN: Myanmar's elections process "deeply flawed"(Roundup); NYT (21 Oct 10) UN Doubts Fairness of Election in Myanmar; VOA (21 Oct 10) UN Expert: Burma Conditions forGenuine Elections 'Limited'2

Irrawaddy (19 Oct 10) Election to Offer Little Change: UN Rapporteur3

UNGA, 65th

session, Situation of human rights in Myanmar - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights inMyanmar, 15 September 2010, UN Doc A/65/3684

OHCHR (29 Oct 10) Myanmar: UN Human Rights chief calls for “genuine elections that meet international standards”; AFP (29Oct 10) UN rights chief slates Burma election5

SHAN (06 Oct 10) Local junta authorities, Shan party at odds; Kachin News Group (12 Oct 10) NDF election campaign bannedin some parts of Myitkyina; SHAN (08 Oct 10) Shan, Taang parties face campaign restrictions; IMNA (11 Oct 10) VPDC prohibitsMon Party from public campaigning; Kaladan News (11 Oct 10) USDP targets day laborers ahead of elections; Kaladan News (07Oct 10) USDP candidates and supporters threaten voters in Arakan State; Kaladan News (16 Oct 10) USDP supporters destroyrival party's campaign billboard; Narinjara News (18 Oct 10) Two Political Parties Clash During Vote Canvassing; Kaladan News(20 Oct 10) Tension mounts among political parties in Maungdaw; Irrawaddy (22 Oct 10) Rohingya Party Prevented fromCampaigning; KIC (22 Oct 10) Strong arm tactics by USDP; army to get votes6

Irrawaddy (06 Oct 10) USDP Blatantly Flouts Election Law; Khonumthung News (12 Oct 10) Junta funds USDP poll campaign;Narinjara News (13 Oct 10) Fishery workers in Arakan forced to join USDP; Kaladan News (14 Oct 10) USDP a hard sell forMaungdaw youth; Kaladan News (20 Oct 10) Tension mounts among political parties in Maungdaw; KIC (21 Oct 10) Educationdepartment staff campaign for USDP7

AP (18 Oct 10) Foreign media barred from covering Myanmar vote; Reuters (18 Oct 10) Myanmar bars foreign monitors andreporters from poll; AFP (18 Oct 10) Myanmar bars foreign monitors, media for election; Xinhua (18 Oct 10) Myanmar to hold freeand fair election: election commission; VOA (18 Oct 10) Burma Bars Foreign Observers, Journalists From Elections; CNN (18 Oct10) Myanmar blocks international monitors for elections; Irrawaddy (18 Oct 10) Government Bars Foreign Media and ObserversFrom Poll; DVB (18 Oct 10) Foreign media barred during polls8

AP (18 Oct 10) Foreign media barred from covering Myanmar vote; Reuters (18 Oct 10) Myanmar bars foreign monitors andreporters from poll; DPA (18 Oct 10) Myanmar refuses to invite foreign election observers; AFP (18 Oct 10) Myanmar bars foreignmonitors, media for election; AP (18 Oct 10) Myanmar: Foreign Journalists Barred from Covering National Elections; Xinhua (18Oct 10) Myanmar to hold free and fair election: election commission; VOA (18 Oct 10) Burma Bars Foreign Observers, Journalists



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local journalists representing foreign news organizations would be sent to various locations acrossBurma to accompany diplomats on state-sponsored tours. The Information Ministry also said that mediamust remain at least 50 meters away from polling stations on 7 November.9

Mass release of prisoners?

On 10 October, an SPDC official from the Department of Corrections said that the regime wouldrelease about 11,000 inmates from prisons nationwide to allow them to vote in the elections. It was

unclear whether any political prisoners would be among those released.10

In addition, the SPDCannounced it was making arrangements to allow the over 6,000 detainees who were awaiting trial tocast their vote in the polls.11

NLD campaigns for boycott

NLD leaders continued their tour across Burma to promote the election boycott. On 12 October, NLDleaders, led by Central Executive Committee member Ohn Kyaing, embarked on a campaign tour of Mandalay Division and Kachin State.12 Another group of NLD leaders toured Southern Shan State andWestern Pegu Division.13

On 12 October, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that she would not vote in the elections because castingher ballot would not be “in accordance with the law.”14 On 26 October, the NLD said that the upcoming

polls would only prolong military dictatorship and noted that citizens had the right not to vote. TheNLD said the elections would activate the 2008 constitution, which “does not guarantee ethnic rights,civil rights, basic human rights and other democratic rights.”15

Anti-election protests intensify

• 5 October: Youth activists in 15 villages across Arakan State posted signs that urged people toboycott the elections.16

• 20 October: Activists put up about 50 anti-election leaflets around Myitkyina, Kachin State.17

• 23 October: SPDC authorities in Rangoon arrested at least two Buddhist monks who were handingout pamphlets protesting the election near the Shwedagon pagoda.18

• 27 October: It was reported that about 1,200 people from over 150 villages demonstrated against theelections in Ye and Thanbyuzayat Townships in Mon State and Kyainnseikyi Township in KarenState.19

SPDC steps up pressure on Mon and Kachin groups

In October, the relations between the SPDC and two key ethnic ceasefire groups continued todeteriorate, paving the way for renewed conflict in Kachin and Mon States. On 9 October, SPDCauthorities ordered the New Mon State Party (NMSP) to submit to the junta information about guests

From Elections; Irrawaddy (18 Oct 10) Government Bars Foreign Media and Observers From Poll; DVB (18 Oct 10) Foreignmedia barred during polls9

Reuters (31 Oct 10) Myanmar to keep close watch on media before poll10

AFP (10 Oct 10) Myanmar plans to free 11,000 prisoners for vote: officials; DPA (10 Oct 10) Myanmar to release 11,000inmates before polls; Myanmar Times (11 Oct 10) Up to 11,000 prisoners to get chance to vote11 Myanmar Times (04 Oct 10) Accused awaiting trial set to vote in election12

Mizzima News (13 Oct 10) Ethnic leaders join NLD vote-boycott roadshow; DVB (14 Oct 10) Suu Kyi fights law with law;Irrawaddy (16 Oct 10) NLD and Ethnic Leaders Tour Kachin State13

Mizzima News (13 Oct 10) Ethnic leaders join NLD vote-boycott roadshow14

AFP (12 Oct 10) Suu Kyi ‘will refuse to vote in Myanmar election’; BBC (13 Oct 10) Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi 'will not vote';AP (12 Oct 10) Myanmar's Suu Kyi says she won't vote in election; DPA (12 Oct 10) Myanmar democracy icon turns downpermission to vote; VOA (12 Oct 10) Lawyer Says Burma's Opposition Leader Won't Vote; CNN (14 Oct 10) Suu Kyi: I won't votein coming Myanmar election; UPI (14 Oct 10) Suu Kyi won't vote, lawyer says15

AP (26 Oct 10) Pro-democracy party says upcoming election to prolong military rule in Myanmar; AFP (26 Oct 10) Suu Kyiparty says Myanmar vote will prolong dictatorship16

Mizzima News (07 Oct 10) Arakanese activists post notices urging poll boycott17

Kachin News Group (20 Oct 10) People use posters to show they reject election in Northern Burma18

Irrawaddy (23 Oct 10) Security Tight in Rangoon Amid Rumors of Protests19

New Zealand Herald (28 Oct 10) Villagers defy regime with boycott call



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who visit NMSP offices.20 On 18 October, the NMSP risked further repercussions when it urged peopleto boycott the 7 November elections because the SPDC constitution would not guarantee ethnic rights.21

In Kachin State, the junta backed up its rhetoric with arrests. On 15 October, state-run newspapersdescribed the ceasefire Kachin Independence Army (KIA) as “insurgents” in a report blaming the groupfor a 13 October mine blast that kill two people in Kachin State.22 It was the first time that the SPDCreferred to the KIA as insurgents since the two sides signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.23 On 18October, SPDC Army troops raided KIA offices in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State, and detained

three KIA officers.24

As a result, the KIA distributed weapons to villagers along the Sino-Burma borderand told them to shoot SPDC Army troops if they approached their villages.25

New flag unfurled

On 21 October, at 3 pm, the SPDC unexpectedly unfurledBurma’s new flag.26 Observers noted that the junta’s suddendecision appeared to be based on the advice of astrologers.27 Thenew flag, along with the state seal, the national anthem, and thecountry’s official name - Republic of the Union of Myanmar -should have become official only after the entry into force of the2008 constitution as a result of the elections.28 The SPDCCensorship Board barred news journals from publishing reports

about Burma’s new flag that did not conform to official reportsin state-run newspapers.29

International leaders still critical of SPDC elections

Burma’s upcoming election and internal human rights issues remained front and center in statements byleaders in the international community.

• 5 October: European and Asian leaders at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) urged the SPDC toensure that the elections would be free, fair, and inclusive. ASEM also called for the release of political prisoners. UK Vice-PM Nick Clegg told ASEM delegates that the elections would do nomore than reinstate the military government and would not be free or fair.30

• 12 October: US State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said that the US had expressed its concernsabout the elections, which it did not believe would be free or fair.31

• 19 October: US State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said that the SPDC’s decision to denymedia and outside observers for the elections was “par for the course” given the junta’s track record.32

• 26 October: The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) said the elections were“cosmetic surgery to secure the military junta’s grip on power” and legitimize continued militaryrule.33

20IMNA (12 Oct 10) SPDC treats NMSP as a illegal party

21Irrawaddy (24 Oct 10) Mon Cease-fire Group Urges Election Boycott

22Irrawaddy (15 Oct 10) Junta Calls KIA “Insurgents”; Kachin News Group (15 Oct 10) Junta Calls KIA “Insurgents”; DVB (18 Oct

10) Junta tries old tactics on new ‘insurgents’23

Irrawaddy (15 Oct 10) Junta Calls KIA “Insurgents”; Kachin News Group (15 Oct 10) Junta Calls KIA “Insurgents”; DVB (18 Oct10) Junta tries old tactics on new ‘insurgents’24

Irrawaddy (19 Oct 10) Burmese Army Raids KIA Offices; Kachin News Group (19 Oct 10) Burmese and Kachin troops surroundeach other in northern Burma; DVB (20 Oct 10) Police raid escalates tension in Kachin state25

Irrawaddy (20 Oct 10) KIA Issues Alert26

Reuters (21 Oct 10) Myanmar gets new flag, official name, anthem; Xinhua (21 Oct 10) Myanmar formally use new state flagunder new constitution; NLM (22 Oct 10) State Flag Law, State Seal Law, National Anthem Law, State Flag Rules, State SealRules and National Anthem Rules issued27

Reuters (21 Oct 10) Myanmar gets new flag, official name, anthem; Mizzima News (22 Oct 10) Junta raises new flagsthroughout the country; Irrawaddy (21 Oct 10) New Flag Flying in Burma28

Mizzima News (22 Oct 10) Junta raises new flags throughout the country; DVB (22 Oct 10) Cries of foul play as ‘new Burma’ ishoisted29

Irrawaddy (27 Oct 10) Censors Restrict New Flag Reporting30

EU Observer (06 Oct 10) EU-Asia summit calls for Myanmar prisoner release31

Irrawaddy (13 Oct 10) US Hopes New Gov't Will Take Different Approach32

Irrawaddy (19 Oct 10) Election Media Ban 'Unfortunate': US33

AFP (28 Oct 10) Burma FM hints at Suu Kyi’s release



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• 27 October: US Under Secretary of State William Burns said that the elections would not be or fairelection unless the SPDC releases political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.34

• 28 October: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that elections were “deeply flawed”.35 USState Department PJ Crowley accused the SPDC of “craven manipulation” by indicating it mayrelease Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after the election. Crowley called on the SPDC to let Daw Aung SanSuu Kyi and others fully participate fully in the polls.36

• 29 October:o Australia’s FM Kevin Rudd said the SPDC’s election fell far short of democratic norms.37 o At the Mekong River Summit, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam called for free and

fair elections in Burma.38 o New Zealand’s PM John Key told SPDC PM Thein Sein that New Zealand wanted to see a proper

democratic election.39 o US Department of State spokesman PJ Crowley said that the election in Burma lacked credibility

and would not be free and fair.40 o UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that genuine elections that meet

international standards should be part of the transition process in Burma.41

• 30 October: Japan’s FM Seiji Maehara urged the SPDC to conduct the election in an open and fairmanner.42

• 31 October: Australian FM Kevin Rudd said that Australia had “very grave reservations” about theelections that were being conducted “under patently unfair election laws.”43

INSIDE BURMA

Cyclone Giri strikes Arakan State

On 22 October, a category four cyclone named Giri madelandfall in Arakan State with winds reaching 258 kilometers(155 miles) per hour.44 The storm caused significant damageand destruction to homes, public buildings, infrastructure, andaffected around 200,000 people.45 The coastal town of Kyaukpyu was the worst-hit with an estimated 70% of thetown destroyed.46 Other affected areas included Ann, Minbya,Manaung, Myebon, Pauktaw, Ramree, Ponnagyun, and Akyab

Townships.47

Around 71,000 people lost their homes and werein desperate need of shelter, clean drinking water, and food.48

In Kyaukpyu alone over 10,000 cyclone victims sought shelterat schools and monasteries.49 An outbreak of diarrhea fromcontaminated drinking water led to the deaths of at least three

34Irrawaddy (28 Oct 10) US Still Not Ready to Appoint Special Burma Envoy

35Irrawaddy (29 Oct 10) US Reaffirms Support for UN Commission of Inquiry

36AFP (28 Oct 10) Myanmar offer on Suu Kyi 'craven manipulation': US

37ABC (29 Oct 10) Burma a major concern, says Rudd

38DPA (29 Oct 10) Mekong countries, Japan call for fair elections in Myanmar

39NZPA (30 Oct 10) Key voices concerns about Myanmar election

40Irrawaddy (30 Oct 10) Views Differ on UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma: US

41UN News Center (29 Oct 10) Myanmar: top UN officials call for credible democratic transition

42Japan Today (31 Oct 10) Maehara renews call for Myanmar's early release of Suu Kyi

43Reuters(31 Oct 10) Australia has "grave reservations" about Myanmar elections

44 NASA (22 Oct 10) Cat 4 Cyclone Giri Hits Burma, NASA Satellite Sees Heavy Rainfall45

OCHA (29 Oct 10) Myanmar Cyclonic Storm GIRI Situation Report #4; UNDP (27 Oct 10) Myanmar: More than 170,000 peopleaffected by cyclone Giri; CNN (27 Oct 10) UN: 70,000 people in Myanmar are homeless in wake of cyclone; DPA (24 Oct 10)Myanmar state media mum on Cyclone Giri destruction46

AFP (23 Oct 10) Myanmar cyclone leaves at least one dead, thousands affected; Al Jazeera (23 Oct 10) Cyclone Giri battersMyanmar47

DPA (24 Oct 10) Myanmar state media mum on Cyclone Giri destruction; Xinhua (24 Oct 10) Myanmar lifts storm warning;Xinhua (24 Oct 10) Myanmar announces fade-out of cyclone Giri; AP (25 Oct 10) Myanmar mum on cyclone damage; UNDP (27Oct 10) Myanmar: More than 170,000 people affected by cyclone Giri; Al Jazeera (25 Oct 10) Dozens dead in Myanmar cyclone;Xinhua (25 Oct 10) At least 12 people die in cyclone Giri in Myanmar: local media48

UNDP (27 Oct 10) Myanmar: More than 170,000 people affected by cyclone Giri; CNN (27 Oct 10) UN: 70,000 people inMyanmar are homeless in wake of cyclone; DVB (25 Oct 10) Death toll rises on cyclone-hit coast49

Narinjara News (24 Oct 10) Thousands homeless, entire villages submerged after Cyclone Giri lashes Arakan Coast



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people in Myebon and Minbya Townships.50 Buddhist monks and local NGOs provided the majority of the initial assistance to cyclone victims, while some areas reported that they had not yet received aidfrom the junta.51

The regime gave no immediate estimate of casualties or damage.52 Three days later, on 25 October, theSPDC announced that 27 people had been killed, and 15 were missing in Arakan State.53 Localresidents however put the death toll at over 100.54 As with cyclone Nargis, the SPDC preventedinternational staff from the UN and international NGOs from entering the cyclone-affected areas and

banned local journalists from taking photographs of the devastation.55

In addition, the SPDC failed torespond to a US offer of US$100,000 in humanitarian assistance to cyclone victims.56

Health emergency in Eastern Burma

On 19 October, a group of NGOs57 that work on health issues in Burma and along the Thai-Burmaborder released the report “Diagnosis: Critical - Health and Human Rights in Eastern Burma.” Thereport painted a grim picture of health conditions for people living in conflict zones in Eastern Burma.The report’s findings showed that Eastern Burma remains in a state of chronic health emergencybecause of the SPDC’s disinvestment in healthcare and ongoing human rights abuses:

Health

• Over 41% of children under five areacutely malnourished.

• Sixty percent of deaths in children underthe age of five are from preventable andtreatable diseases, including acuterespiratory infection, malaria, anddiarrhea.

• Eastern Burma’s demographics arecharacterized by high birth rates, highdeath rates, and the significant absence of men under the age of 45 - patterns more comparable torecent war zones such as Sierra Leone than to Burma’s national demographics.

• Child mortality rates are nearly twice as high in eastern Burma and the maternal mortality ratio istriple the official national figure.

•

The indirect health impacts of the conflict are much graver, with preventable losses of life accountingfor 59.1% of all deaths and malaria alone accounting for 24.7%.

• One in 14 women was infected with malaria, among the highest rates of infection in the world.

Health and human rights abuses58

• Nearly one third of all households experienced at least one type of human rights abuse within thepreceding year.

• Children in households that were internally displaced in the prior year were 4.8 times more likely tosuffer severe acute malnutrition in comparison to those from households that were not internallydisplaced.

50Narinjara News (27 Oct 10) Diarrhea Outbreak in Cyclone Affected Area in Arakan

51Irrawaddy (27 Oct 10) Cyclone Victims Seek Shelter, Aid; Kaladan News (25 Oct 10) Cyclone Giri ravages western Arakan ;

Narinjara News (29 Oct 10) Cyclone Surge Kills 9 People and Washes Away Villages in Pauk Taw 52

BBC (25 Oct 10) Cyclone Giri pummels west Burma53

AP (25 Oct 10) 27 Were Killed in Cyclone, Myanmar Government Says; Canadian Press (25 Oct 10) Cyclone kills 27 people inwestern Myanmar, 15 missing after storm flattens thousands of homes; Al Jazeera (25 Oct 10) Dozens dead in Myanmar cyclone;DPA (25 Oct 10) At least 27 dead in Myanmar cyclone (Roundup)54

Irrawaddy (30 Oct 10) Relief Efforts Slow to Reach Arakan's Devastated Coast55

IRIN (25 Oct 10) Cyclone Giri tests government-aid agency relations; Irrawaddy (25 Oct 10) Arakan’s Woes; Irrawaddy (30 Oct10) Relief Efforts Slow to Reach Arakan's Devastated Coast56

AFP (26 Oct 10) US offers aid to cyclone-hit Myanmar; Chinland Guardian (27 Oct 10) US to Assist Cyclone Vicims in ArakanState; DVB (27 Oct 10) Cyclone deaths top 100 as US pledges aid57

The Burma Medical Association, National Health and Education Committee, Back Pack Health Worker Team and ethnic healthorganizations serving the Karen, Karenni, Mon, Shan, and Palaung communities - Technical support was provided by the GlobalHealth Access Program and the Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.58

Note: Data was collected from October 2008 through January 2009

Eastern

Burma

Burma Thailand MDG target

for Burmafor 2015

Maternal mortalityratio (deaths per100,000 live births)

721 240 48 50

Under-5 mortalityrate (per 1,000 livebirths)

138 71 14 39

Infant mortality rate(per 1,000 births)

73 54 12 28



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• The odds of dying within the first year of life were increased 2.5 times for infants in households thatwere forced to provide labor compared to those in households that were not.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Ojea Quintana urges creation of CoI

In his annual report to the UN General Assembly, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in

Burma Tomás Ojea Quintana reiterated the need for the establishment of a UN-mandated Commissionof Inquiry (CoI) to investigate allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma. OjeaQuintana pointed out that a CoI should be seen as a “possible tool” to help Burma “to address impunityand prevent future human rights violations,” rather than a punitive measure against the SPDC.59 OjeaQuintana said the creation of a CoI was even more urgent given “the possibility of impunity” for theSPDC, which is enshrined in the 2008 constitution.60

Responding to some UN members’ preference for engagement over accountability, Ojea Quintana said:“This is a false dichotomy. An investigation of this kind would not preclude international engagementwith the new government.”61

On 28 October, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton underscored the US commitment to seek accountability for the SPDC’s human rights violations by working to establish a CoI.62

Freedom of information

On 20 October, Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) released its annual Press Freedom Index. Burmaranked 174th out of the 178 countries surveyed.63 RSF said that “freedom is not allowed any space inBurma.”64 Events in October confirmed RSF’s assessment:

• 12 October: It was reported that the SPDC Censorship Board barred local news journals fromreporting about the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to imprisoned Chinese human rights activist LiuXiaobo.65

• 13 October: Rangoon’s Seikkan Township Court sentenced Kantarawaddy news journal editor NyiNyi Tun to 13 years in prison under the Unlawful Association Act, the Immigration Act, and the

Wireless Act.

66

• Late October: Internet café owners across Burma reported slow or no internet connection in the lead-

up to the elections.67

Detention conditions

• 8 October: It was reported that prison authorities in Sandoway prison, Arakan State, charged inmates40,000 to 80,000 kyat (about US$45 to US$90) for a bed. In addition, it was reported that prisonauthorities provided insufficient food to inmates and that the prison was overcrowded.68

59UN News Centre (21 Oct 10) UN rights expert calls Myanmar election process ‘deeply flawed’; VOA (21 Oct 10) UN Expert:

Burma Conditions for Genuine Elections 'Limited'60 Irrawaddy (19 Oct 10) Election to Offer Little Change: UN Rapporteur61

IPS (24 Oct 10) Looking Beyond Burma's 2010 Elections62

AFP (28 Oct 10) Clinton backs probe on Myanmar rights63

RSF (20 Oct 10) Press Freedom Index 201064

Irrawaddy (20 Oct 10) No Country for Journalists; DVB (20 Oct 10) Burma press freedom ‘amongst worst’; Mizzima News (21Oct 10) Zero growth in Burma press freedom, watchdog says; Chinland Guardian (31 Oct 10) Slow Connections Cause InternetCafes to Close65

Irrawaddy (12 Oct 10) Junta Restricts Nobel News66

Mizzima News (15 Oct 10) Editor faces 13 years behind bars; DPA (23 Oct 10) Journalist protection group condemns Myanmareditor's sentence; CPJ (25 Oct 10) Burmese editor sentenced to 13 years in prison; DVB (29 Oct 10) News editor tortured, given13 years67

Mizzima News (27 Oct 10) Junta accused of slowing, cutting Net ahead of polls; IMNA (29 Oct 10) Internet cafés forced toclose before the 2010 election68

Narinjara News (08 Oct 10) Prison Authority Sells Bed Space in Thandwe Prison



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• 13 October: SPDC authorities transferred Buddhist monk Uk Kong Sah from Rangoon’s Inseinprison to Bassein prison in Irrawaddy Division.69

Forced labor

“Diagnosis: Critical Health and Human Rights in Eastern Burma” [See above Health emergency in

Eastern Burma] also reported an alarming prevalence of forced labor in Eastern Burma. The reportstated that of all surveyed areas, 8.7% of households had at least one occupant who had been forced to

provide labor in the year prior to the survey.70

On average, a person had to do forced labor 22.7 days peryear.71 In October, the following forced labor incidents were reported:

• 1 October: SPDC Army soldiers from LIB 325, in Tangyan Township, Shan State, ordered localvillagers to build a fence around its new camp.

• 3 October: SPDC Army soldiers from IB 32 forced six local residents to act as porters when thebattalion left Three Pagodas Pass, Karen State.72

• 9 October: SPDC Army soldiers forced six men and four women from Tekpu Village, HtantabinTownship, Pegu Division, to porter army rations.73

DISPLACEMENT

SPDC displaces 73,000 people in past year

On 28 October, the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) released its annual survey oninternally displaced persons titled “Protracted Displacement and Chronic Poverty in EasternBurma/Myanmar.” According to the report, between August 2009 and July 2010 the SPDC destroyed orforcibly relocated 113 villages and forced at least 73,000 people to leave their homes.74 SPDC Armyattacks against civilians and eviction orders displaced around 26,000 villagers in Karen areas alone. InMon areas, more than 8,000 villagers fled instability and conflict as a result of forced relocations andthe regime’s Border Guard Force ultimatum.75 According to the TBBC’s conservative estimates, at least446,000 people remained internally displaced in Eastern Burma, and the actual figure is likely well over500,000.76

Registered migrants in Thailand still fighting for justice

Despite assurances that nationality verification and registration would protect migrant workers’ rights,Thai factories continued to exploit Burmese migrants. In early October, more than 900 Burmesemigrant workers at the Dechapanich Fishing Net Factory in Khon Kaen, Thailand, staged a sit-in strikebecause factory owners had not followed through with their September agreement to fully compensatethem and return their passports [See September 2010 Burma Bulletin].77 After failed attempts tointimidate the workers with hired gunmen and threats of legal action and deportation, on 13 October theowners finally compensated the workers and returned their documents.78

Thailand backtracks on repatriation

In October, Thailand backtracked on a 30 September statement made by Thai FM Kasit Piromya, whosaid that Thailand was working on a plan to repatriate Burmese refugees and “intellectuals” after the 7

69IMNA (13 Oct 10) Prison transfer for Mon monk

70Data was collected from October 2008 through January 2009

71“Diagnosis: Critical Health and Human Rights in Eastern Burma” (19 Oct 10) The Burma Medical Association, et al.

72IMNA (05 Oct 10) IB No. 32 forces locals to porter goods

73KIC (15 Oct 10) Forced labour by army in Htan Ta Pin township

74TBBC (28 Oct 10) Protracted Displacement and Chronic Poverty in Eastern Burma/Myanmar – 2010 Survey



77Irrawaddy (08 Oct 10) Migrant Worker Protest Ongoing At Thai Company

78Bangkok Post (21 Oct 10) Migrants win back passports; Mizzima News (13 Oct 10) Burmese at Thai factory hold out for pay

today



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November elections.79 On 7 October, the Thai Foreign Ministry said that Kasit had been misinterpretedand that there was no such plan.80 On 22 October, Kasit said that Thailand would not forcefullyrepatriate Burmese refugees and would only send them back if the political situation in Burmaimproved after the polls.81

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Philippines and Indonesia criticize SPDC’s elections at ASEAN Summit

On 28 October, at the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi. ASEAN leaders reiterated its previous statements thatcalled on the SPDC to hold its election “in a free, fair, and inclusive manner.”82 The Philippines andIndonesia were the only countries who criticized of the SPDC’s unwillingness to make the electiontransparent and inclusive.

• 18 October: Indonesia criticized the SPDC’s announcement that foreign reporters and monitorswould be barred from covering the polls. Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said that thelong-awaited election would “serve its purpose best with thorough media coverage.”83

• 27 October:o Indonesia’s FM Marty Natalegawa said that the SPDC’s election preparations suffered from a

“credibility deficit.”84 o Philippines’ FM Alberto Romulo said that ASEAN’s push for observers to supervise the voting was

“not the point.” Romulo said that election would only be credible if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi andother political prisoners were part of the process.85

• 28 October: Indonesia’s FM Marty Natalegawa said that the results of the election were almost aforegone conclusion.86 He also said was also important to recognize those who are not participating inthe elections, like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters.87

• 29 October:o Philippines’ President Benigno Aquino said that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be released and the

election was not free, fair or inclusive.88

• 30 October: Philippines FM Alberto Romulo said that the SPDC’s flawed elections will cost ASEANits goodwill.89

Daw Suu’s release - anything but certain

During the ASEAN Summit, both SPDC FM Nyan Win and PM Thein Sein eluded direct answersabout the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. During a dinner meeting on 27 October, SPDCrepresentatives did not give any indication that the 13 November release date would be amended, butdid not confirm her release, either.90 The SPDC lack of specificity did not sit well with everyone.Philippines’ FM Alberto Romulo expressed dissatisfaction. Romulo said that not only did he want theSPDC to give its assurance that Daw Suu would be released, he wanted it to happen and that no newcharges would be filed against her.91

79Guardian (03 Oct 10) Thailand plans to repatriate Burmese asylum seekers after election; DVB (04 Oct 10) Thailand planning

Burma refugee return; Irrawaddy (02 Oct 10) Thailand to Send Refugees and Opposition Back to Burma? 80 DVB (08 Oct 10) Thailand ‘will not’ return Burma refugees81

Bangkok Post (24 Oct 10) Kasit vows not to repatriate refugees until Burma 'stable'; Irrawaddy (22 Oct 10) No forcedrepatriation: Thai FM82

vea.gov.vn/en/icorperation/Projects/.../TuyenboChairman-BNG.doc83

Mizzima News (19 Oct 10) Indonesia criticises junta decision to bar journalists84

Reuters (27 Oct 10) Philippines dubs Myanmar election a “farce”85

AFP (27 Oct 10) Burma under pressure to act on poll 'credibility deficit'86

Bloomberg (28 Oct 10) Suu Kyi May Be Freed After Myanmar Vote in November, Asean Ministers Say87

AFP (28 Oct 10) Burma FM hints at Suu Kyi’s release88

Bangkok Post (29 Oct 10) Asean and Burma must work to bridge expectation gap: Abhisit89

AP (30 Oct 10) Philippines: Flawed Burma Vote Will Damage Asean90

Irrawaddy (28 Oct 10) Asean Leaders Ignore Burma Issues; Bloomberg (28 Oct 10) Suu Kyi May Be Freed After Myanmar Votein November, Asean Ministers Say91

AFP (28 Oct 10) Myanmar says Suu Kyi may be freed after elections



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Ban Ki-moon ”frustrated”

On 15 October, UN Sec-Gen Ban Ki-moon reported on Burma to the UN General Assembly. In hisreport, Ban said that the SPDC’s lack of engagement was “deeply frustrating” and contradicted theSPDC’s stated policy of cooperation with the UN. Ban noted that it was necessary for the SPDC toensure that the elections were conducted in an inclusive, credible, participatory, and transparentmanner. In this regard, Ban said that the release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San SuuKyi, would be the clearest signal of such commitments.92 In addition to his report to the UNGA, Ban

made the following statements on the SPDC’s planned elections.

• 6 October: He urged the SPDC to hold a “credible and inclusive” election and to free all politicalprisoners before the polls.93

• 26 October: He urged the SPDC to release political prisoners before the elections and said it was“not too late” to make the polls more fair and inclusive.94

• 28 October: He, once again, urged the SPDC to release all political prisoners so that the electionscould be more inclusive and more participatory and credible.95

• 29 October: He said that ASEAN and the UN agreed on the need for a credible democratic transitionand national reconciliation in Burma.96

Than Shwe travels to Laos, Thai PM goes to Naypyidaw

After recent state visits to China and India, on 1 October SPDC Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe arrived inLaos where he briefed officials on the junta’s preparations for the upcoming elections.97 Lao PresidentChoummaly Sayasone said that Laos fully supported the SPDC’s upcoming elections.98

On 11 October, Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva traveled to Naypyidaw on a one-day visit. Abhisit met withSPDC Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe and held discussions with SPDC PM Thein Sein on bilateral tradeand investment issues.99 [See below Tavoy deep-sea port moves closer to reality] On 12 October,Abhisit said he offered Thailand’s assistance for the elections and also conveyed concerns from theinternational community. Abhisit said that SPDC leaders were “aware of the concerns, but did not wantany outside help.”100 Abhisit also reported that that the months-long border closure between Burma andThailand at Mae Sot in Tak Province remained unresolved.101

ECONOMY

Tavoy deep-sea port moves closer to reality

During his visit to Burma on 11 October, Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva and the SPDC agreed to develop adeep-sea port at Tavoy in Tenasserim Division.102 Thai construction company Italian-Thai Developmentis expected sign a contract worth US$13 billion with the Myanmar Port Authority to develop theproject, which includes building transport links, power plants and steel mills.103 While construction isnot expected to commence until early 2011, it was reported that SPDC authorities had already orderedvillagers living near the planned construction site to relocate.104

92AFP (15 Oct 10) UN chief slams Myanmar junta on rights ahead of election; UNGA 65

thSession (15 Oct 10) Report of the

Secretary-General Situation of human rights in Myanmar [A/65/367]93 Irrawaddy (07 Oct 10) Release Political Prisoners before Election: Ban94

AP (26 Oct 10) UN chief urges Myanmar to free political prisoners95

AP (28 Oct 10) ASEAN presses Myanmar to free Aung San Suu Kyi96

AFP (29 Oct 10) Release prisoners, UN urges Myanmar97

AFP (01 Oct 10) Myanmar junta boss visits Laos: official98

DPA (04 Oct 10) Laos, Myanmar to step up cooperation on immigration, drugs99

Irrawaddy (12 Oct 10) Border Closure Remains Unresolved: Thai PM100

AP (12 Oct 10) Thai prime minister says Myanmar rejected offer of assistance with election101

Irrawaddy (12 Oct 10) Border Closure Remains Unresolved: Thai PM102

Bangkok Post (12 Oct 10) Deal struck on deep-sea port; RFA (13 Oct 10) Burma Inks Port Deal ; Mizzima News (13 Oct 10)Thai-Burmese leaders reach port deal103

Reuters (07 Oct 10) 1-Builder Italian-Thai to sign $13 bln Myanmar deal; Nation (08 Oct 10) ITD to ink Bt400 bn deal withBurma on Dawei port104

IMNA (15 Oct 10) Tavoy deep-sea port project brings fears of relocation



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Burma ranks as the world’s second most corrupt country

On 26 October, Transparency International released its 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index. The reportranked the SPDC as the second most corrupt government in the world after Somalia.105

Toyota pulls out of Burma

In October, Toyota subsidiary Toyota Tsusho confirmed that in June it had sold its stake in a joint

venture with Japan’s Suzuki Corporation and the SPDC Ministry of Industry to produce trucks, cars,and motorcycles in Burma. US investors had long pressured Toyota to pull out of the venture becauseof the SPDC’s poor human rights record. The company did not disclose to whom it had sold its stake.106

Explosion at oil pipeline kills scores

On 24 October, an explosion at a leaking oil pipeline in Pakokku Township, Magwe Division, killedabout 100 people and injured around 100 more. The pipeline, which transports oil between Magwe andSagaing Divisions, caught fire while local villagers were tapping the leak for oil.107

OTHER BURMA NEWS IN OCTOBER

1 An officer and three soldiers from SPDC Army LIB 103 rob and stab to death an elderly Mon womanfrom Kyuak Kadin Village, in Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division.

3 The father of a 24-year-old woman in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, kills an SPDC Army LIB 539soldier after the attempted rape of his daughter.

5 NLD lawyers file a lawsuit against the SPDC over the dissolution of the party with Burma’s SupremeCourt.

5 Former Special Rapporteurs on human rights in Burma Paulo Sergio Pinheiro and Yozo Yokota urge theEU to support the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanityand war crimes in Burma.

6 SPDC Army LIB 63 orders local SPDC officials in Ye Township, Mon State, to collect 700,000 kyat inorder to create more people’s militias.

6 Inter Parliamentary Union’s Human Rights Committee adopts a resolution that urges the SPDC toimmediately and unconditionally release 12 MPs elected in the 1990 from jail ahead of the upcomingelections.

7 Burma’s Supreme Court announces it will hold a hearing on the special appeal lodged by Daw Aung SanSuu Kyi against her house arrest.

7 A vehicle carrying Burmese migrant workers crashes on the way from Ranong to Samut Sakhon,Thailand, injuring 39 workers.

7 Bangladesh border security forces seize 11,000 amphetamine tablets from two individuals as they aresmuggling the drugs into Bangladesh from Burma.

11 SSA-S troops kill an SPDC army solider in an ambush of an SPDC Army convoy in Mong YawngTownship, Southern Shan State.

12 A group of SSA-S soldiers kill a police officer at an attack on a police checkpoint in MongyawngTownship, Shan State.

13 ASEAN Sec-Gen Surin Pitsuwan says that he hopes Burma’s elections will offer a chance for nationalreconciliation and help end the country's international isolation.

13 A New Zealand Parliament resolution calls on the SPDC to immediately release all political prisoners.

13 A landmine explosion in Mogaung Township, Kachin State, kills two local villagers and injures one.

15 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says the Burmese people should voice their discontent against the SPDC duringthe upcoming elections.

16 Karenni Army troops kill four SPDC Army soldiers from IB 247 in a surprise raid on a SPDC Armyoutpost in Loikaw Township, Karenni State.

16 An unknown armed group kills an SPDC Army IB 286 soldier from in an ambush in MongyawngTownship, Shan State.

17 SPDC authorities in Kyaukkyi Township, Eastern Pegu Division, order local villagers in ten village-tracts

105Transparency International (26 Oct 10) 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index

106Reuters (05 Oct 10) Toyota arm sells Myanmar joint venture stake; Bloomberg (05 Oct 10) Toyota Affiliate Exits Suzuki

Venture in Myanmar; Irrawaddy (23 Oct 10) Toyota Quits Burma Joint Venture after Pressure from US Investors107

DVB (27 Oct 10) Oil blaze death toll soars



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to pay four million kyat (about US$4,600) for construction of army barracks.

18 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says she wants to get a Twitter account once she is released from house arrest.

18 SPDC Army troops from IB 124 and 603 begin people’s militia training for 50 villagers from five wardsin Than Taung Gyi Town, Taungoo District, Pegu Division.

18 Thai Army Task Force Commander in Tak Province Col Padung Yingpaiboonsuk says that Thailand hasincreased border security along the Thai-Burma border.

20 A clash between the UWSA and SPDC Army LIB 65 and a Lahu militia unit near Mae Ken Village,Mongton Township, Eastern Shan State, results in the deaths of two Wa soldiers and one Lahu soldier.

20 Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen calls for the establishment of a UN investigation into

alleged crimes against humanity committed by the SPDC.25 BDR personnel arrest 58 unregistered Rohingya refugees from Leda makeshift camp and send them to

Cox’s Bazaar jail.

26 KNLA forces kill two SPDC Army soldiers from IB 405 in an ambush on a military column escorting twoTownship Election Sub-commission officials near Three Pagodas Pass, Karen State.

27 BDR personnel arrest 130 Rohingya in Teknaf and send them to Cox’s Bazaar jail.

27 The Mon Peace Group hands over arms and ammunition to the SPDC in Moulmein, Mon State.

27 SPDC authorities say they arrested five men suspected of planning to carry out bomb attacks in publicplaces in Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and Rangoon.

28 BDR personnel arrest 12 Rohingya near the Leda makeshift camp and send them to Cox’s Bazaar jail.

28 Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn says that ASEAN should look beyond the election tostability, continuity, and openness in Burma.

29 Burma’s Supreme Court holds hears closing arguments on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal on her

conviction to 18 months under house arrest.29 Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva says that ASEAN and Burma must work together to narrow the expectationgap within the international community with regard to the upcoming elections.

31 Australia FM Kevin Rudd says that Australia will maintain sanctions on Burma.

REPORTS ON BURMA RELEASED IN OCTOBER

“Unlevel Playing Field: Burma’s Election Landscape”, Transnational institute (TNI) – Burma CentrumNetherlandshttp://www.tni.org/sites/www.tni.org/files/download/bpb3.pdf

“Democratic and Peaceful Change in Burma/Myanmar”, Crisis Management Initiative (CMI)http://www.cmi.fi/images/stories/publications/burmareport2010.pdf

“Diagnosis Critical: Health and human rights in Eastern Burma”, Burma Medical Association et al.,https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://maetaoclinic.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Diagnosis%2520critical%2520-%2520English%2520web%2520version.pdf

“Protracted Displacement and Chronic Poverty in Eastern Burma/Myanmar”, Thailand Burma BorderConsortium (TBBC)http://www.tbbc.org/idps/report-2010-idp-en.zip

“Situation of human rights in Myanmar”, Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Tomás Ojea Quintanahttp://www.burmalibrary.org/docs09/SRM2010-rep-A65-368(en).pdf

“Situation of human rights in Myanmar”, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonhttp://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&shortid=EGUA-8A9U4A&file=Full_Report.pdf

“Press Freedom Index 2010”, Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF)http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html

“2010 Corruption Perceptions Index”, Transparency International,http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010/results

“Myanmar: Cyclonic Storm GIRI Situation Report # 4, 29 October 2010”, United Nations Office for theCoordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&shortid=VVOS-8APKPW&file=Full_Report.pdf

02nov10 october 2010 burma bulletin

Documents